Armed attacks still rife in Benue communities

In Benue State, attacks on rural communities by suspected herders in recent times have continued in isolation. Our correspondent reports that though massive invasion on the villagers had reduced due to the presence of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in the state, there were however cause to worry in some flash point localities where the attackers […]

In Benue State, attacks on rural communities by suspected herders in recent times have continued in isolation.

Our correspondent reports that though massive invasion on the villagers had reduced due to the presence of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in the state, there were however cause to worry in some flash point localities where the attackers still unleash mayhem on the people.

For instance, communities in Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Logo, Kwande and Ukum LGAs have suffered loses of lives as well as property in the latest series of attacks on them.

In one of such deadly onslaught earlier this month, precisely, between April 1 and 2, five people were reportedly killed after suspected herders invaded Mondo village in Ukemberagya – Gaambetiev council ward of Logo LGA.

Chief Joseph Anawah, a community leader in Logo, told our correspondent by telephone that the locals had heard that some of the attackers who he alleged were herders started crossing the river in their numbers from the neighbouring state.

Anawah said at about 11pm on that fateful Tuesday night, the attackers stormed Mondo Village, firing sporadically, killing five people.

He said some people were still missing while many residents have deserted their homes.

Logo Council Chairman Richard Nyajo, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, confirmed the sad development.

However, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major-General Yekini, said the attack was a spillover of the Jukun/Tiv crisis which occurred on April 2 in Kente, a Taraba State town bordering Benue.

Yekini explained that Logo Village sits closely to the troubled communities of Taraba, adding that his troops had already visited the scene of the attack.

“My officers visited the village and confirmed that the incident was a spillover attack from the Jukun of Kente following the outbreak of inter-communal clashes yesterday (Tuesday) between the Jukun and Tiv at Kente in Taraba State.

However, Logo council chairman and community leader Anawah insisted that the attackers were suspected herders and that the invasion had nothing to do with the spillover of the Taraba crisis.

When contacted, the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Haruna Ibi, said he was not aware of any problem between herders and the locals in the area.

Ibi rather said that the Jukun and Tiv people had communal crisis along the border communities of Benue and Taraba states, alleging that the Jukuns in the heat of the clash had sought the help of their brothers resident on the riverine fringes of the state to fight the Logo people.

On April 11, at least 10 people were reportedly killed in another attack on Vaase village in Ukum LGA.

Security Adviser Col. Paul Hemba, who confirmed that he received reports that between eight and 10 people were killed, said according to the report received, the attackers were a combination of Jukun militia and herdsmen.

Hemba recalled that he alerted the police a week before the incident when he got intelligence tip off that some herders planned to invade Vaase, noting that he called police attention to it and that the police had made arrangements to deploy personnel there the same Thursday the attack happened before their arrival.

Similarly, suspected herders had on March 19, 2019, allegedly killed 10 people in an attack on Tser Uoreleegeb community of Ubabai council ward in Guma LGA.

The incident occurred on a Tuesday night while the deceased slept outside their house due to heat just as it was learnt that the assailants shot at their victims severally and ran away after killing them on the spot.

There had also been reported cases of such killings by suspected herders in parts of Gwer LGA. Ter Tyoshin II, Chief Daniel Ayua Abomtse, said 310 people were killed in 39 attacks launched against villagers in Gwer West LGA alone where he has been the traditional head in the past eight years.

He said 13 people were severely injured within the period between February 8, 2011 and April 2, 2019 in only Gwer West area of the state.

Abomtse gave this breakdown when the State Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benue State paid him a condolence visit at his palace in Naka as he lamented that his subjects are still languishing in pains following the continued attacks and ravaging of Benue communities by suspected herders.

Meanwhile, the OPWS Force Commander, Major General Yekini, who at a press conference in March confirmed the killing of seven people in Agabge village of Gwer West LGA, warned all trouble makers in the state to desist or face the wrath of the law.